§ Mr. SutcliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what exemptions are available to classic car owners from the European End of Life Vehicles Directive. [89436]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 2 July 1999]: The proposed End of Life Vehicles Directive would provide for improved recycling and treatment standards for vehicles when they have become waste (as defined under existing legislation). In other words, it would apply only when the owners have decided to discard them. For this reason, no exemptions would be needed for classic cars, and the European Commission has therefore not proposed any such exemptions.
At the Environment Council on 24 June, it was decided to put back a decision on a Common Position on the Directive until the next Environment Council meeting, in recognition of the German Government's concerns over the approach adopted to producer responsibility.